It's REALLY not all that bad. Yeah, it sucks big time to have the tingling sensation every couple of months. But the key is early treatment. Once you have something like Denavir (a viral DNA polymerase inhibitor, I think), the replication of the virus will stop and your cold sore will be barely noticeable. Nothing like the pic above if you make sure you treat is early. Also, as you keep getting cold sores they tend to get smaller in size each time (over a span of decades), as your immune system becomes more accustomed to the virus.

Genital herpes are MUCH, MUCH worse.

That makes a lot of sense, thanks, it's always great to get feedback from first hand experiences.